Boxing’s greatest retirements (no comebacks)

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Jel, Jun 15, 2023.


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  1. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    With the announcment from Teofimio Lopez that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 25, who are the greatest retirees in boxing history? That is, fighters that retired once and never came back.
     
    Jel, Jun 15, 2023
    Jel, Jun 15, 2023
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  2. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    Rocky Marciano
    Marvin Hagler
    Michael Spinks
    Lennox Lewis...
     
    ikrasevic, Jun 15, 2023
    ikrasevic, Jun 15, 2023
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  3. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Gene Tunney
    Barney Ross
    Jose Napoles
    Carlos Monzon
     
    scartissue, Jun 16, 2023
    scartissue, Jun 16, 2023
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  4. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    I’d thought about Ross and Monzon but hadn’t considered Tunney (which is an obvious one now I think of it) but also Jose Napoles - lost the title and call it quits without any drama. That’s a good one.
     
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
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  5. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Great mentions ..

    Tunney
    Marciano
    Lewis
    Calzaghe
    Monzon
    Vitali
    Hagler was definitive but the circumstances were bittersweet
    Collins

    and a sleeper , Thomas Hearns ... I always felt the Hitman would go out after a few devastating KO losses based on his style and jump in weight but other than his twisted ankle loss he managed to avoid that and to me that was a surprising positive ..
     
    he grant, Jun 16, 2023
    he grant, Jun 16, 2023
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  6. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Andre Ward
     
    Bronze Tiger, Jun 16, 2023
    Bronze Tiger, Jun 16, 2023
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  7. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Jimmy McLarnin and Billy Petrolle. Petrolle took a rest between Sept 1929 and Jan. 1930. For publicity purposes, his manager Jack Hurley emphasized Billy was making a comeback, but it wasn't really a retirement in the true sense of the word since lots of fighter have taken a much longer break and not called it a retirement. Both of these fighters retired in the middle of the Great Depression with over $200,000 in the bank. Petrolle went on to start several businesses and serve on the board of directors of a Duluth bank.
     
    KasimirKid, Jun 16, 2023
    KasimirKid, Jun 16, 2023
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  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    Ha haha ha ha!

    Wha ha ha ha ha!
     
    janitor, Jun 16, 2023
    janitor, Jun 16, 2023
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  9. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Yeah, I know!
     
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
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  10. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Juan Manuel Marquez and Wladimir Klitschko both retired at the right moment after putting on a show in their last fights. JMM outboxed Mike Alvarado, got dropped, rose from the canvas and beat him by decision while Wladimir Klitschko put on a valiant effort against Anthony Joshua in a HW classic.

    Also, Teofimo isn't fully retired, he's gonna be back at some point. You can bet on that.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 16, 2023
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 16, 2023
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  11. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ernesto Marcel retiring as a champion after beating Alexis Arguello.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 16, 2023
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 16, 2023
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  12. Sailor Joe

    Sailor Joe Member Full Member

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    For retiring with a nice looking record intact:

    Ricardo Finito Lopez
    Mayweather Jr.
     
    Sailor Joe, Jun 16, 2023
    Sailor Joe, Jun 16, 2023
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  13. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Great picks on Marquez and Klitschko, Flo.

    And, yeah, I know Lopez is going to come back.
     
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
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  14. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Brilliant pick!
     
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
    Jel, Jun 16, 2023
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  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    How about one from leftfield????

    Do we rate Wlad's? I do. Beaten by Fury after a long period of dominance and actually gave a good showing against Joshua that if anything enhanced his standing rather than harmed it. Faculties intact - check, immense wealth - check. I think it's a fine retirement that seldom gets acknowledged.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 16, 2023
    JohnThomas1, Jun 16, 2023
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